Pros and Cons of Inpatient SGLT2i Use for Hyperglycemia and Heart Failure

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is), originally approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2), have shown substantial cardiovascular and renal benefits, leading to their expanded use in managing heart failure (HF) and chronic kidney disease in the outpatient setting. Despite these benefits, their use for inpatient hyperglycemia management is not universally endorsed due to safety concerns and inadequate data. However, emerging evidence suggests potential advantages of initiating SGLT2i treatment for patients during hospitalization in the setting of HF. While SGLT2is are not recommended for managing inpatient hyperglycemia, initiation during hospitalization for HF provides significant benefits. We review the current literature on the pros and cons of using SGLT2is in hospitalized DM2 and HF patients and provide guidance on careful patient selection and risk mitigation for inpatient use.